A CHINESE trade expert has been touring New England to meet with the region’s farmers and discuss how they can crack into market of the world’s most populated country.

The NSW Trade and Investment commissioner for North and East China, Tony Zhang, said Chinese consumers viewed Australia as a country that produced “high-quality, clean, safe and green agricultural products”.

“In China, the living standard has been lifted, and now there is a huge demand for high-quality products.”

There are also opportunities for producers to increase their capacity through Chinese investment.

It’s not about buying Australian land or food, it’s about investing more capital to increase the producer’s capacity, and then exporting the extra capacity to China.

Tony Zhang

“Chinese importers like to not only buy products, but to secure a stable supply for the long term,” Mr Zhang said.

“It’s not about buying Australian land or food, it’s about investing more capital to increase the producer’s capacity, and then exporting the extra capacity to China.”

“For example, out at the [Walcha Dairy Farm], they currently have about 900 cows. We were talking about what we would have to do if we wanted to increase that number to 2000, and if it would be possible.

“Whether we need to get more land or build more infrastructure, those are the kind of things we need to think about.

“It’s not only dairy, it could be for fruit or beef. It’s all about investing more capital in the region, increasing the capacity and adding more value before exporting it to a market like China.”